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I decided pretty early on during the iPad’s overhyped, pre-launch mania that Apple’s shiny new toy would be useless to me since it doesn’t have Flash and most of the websites that I visit requires a Flash player to view properly.

In addition to that, the size of the thing and the fact that it’s not a standalone device such as a laptop, is discouraging.

If there’s no table around to lay it on, Apple’s iPad will be too large and cumbersome to hold with one hand and type with the other when sending texts. And if I need both hands to handle the iPad, how will I answer my phone when it rings since this thing doesn’t have one?

Besides, I already have a Macbook Pro (which I love) and a new touch screen HTC smart phone (which I loath), so as the April 3rd launch date approaches, I ask myself, why do I need an iPad?

Then last night I stumbled upon ThinkGeek.com and this beautiful desktop iCade cabinet built especially for the new iPad.

The majority of you know you’ll be purchasing the iPad just to say you have one. So what better way to show off your new toy than to display it in this cute arcade cabinet?

The neat thing about the iCade is it actually works and you can play hundreds of classic arcade games such as PacMan and Donkey Kong on your iPad without developing a hump in your back from bending over it for hours.

To use the iCade, you slide the iPad down into the cabinet and dock it in a 30-pin cradle that links the iPad to the professional-grade arcade controls. To make the controls work, you’ll need the iCade app which will be available for download free in Apple’s online store by the iPad’s April 3rd launch date.

The cabinet comes equipped with integrated 2.1 dolby speakers and subwoofer and includes a 10w USB power adapter to keep your battery charged.

The iCade will set you back $149. But since you’re already throwing away spending at least $499 for the cheapest iPad model + $30 a month for a data plan from ATT, what’s an extra $150 down the rabbit hole?

Update:

Apparently this was an April Fool’s joke. Thanks to everyone who emailed me about this being a dumb joke.